Repairable smartphones 2024: find the fix-it-yourself phone that’s right for you

The range of HMD devices has grown to include a lot of repairable smartphones. This guide will help you pick yours.

In a world that changes so fast, it’s easy to feel like nothing lasts. Remember your first smartphone? You know, the one with the wallpaper of that pop star who was big back then? Or the one with all the emoji reactions to texts about your first crush, or that particular crack in the corner from when you jumped up so hard you dropped it after finally landing your dream job?

Well, imagine being able to invest in a smartphone built to stay by your side through all those memories and more? And not just as a keeper of fond memories, like your favorite gadget, but actually still 100% functional?

That’s what you get with HMD repairable smartphones. When the battery wears out or the screen breaks, you don’t have to throw away all those memories. You can just switch out the parts on your kitchen table, in regions where replacement parts and guides are available from iFixit or the HMD shop.¹

Whether the HMD smartphone has Gen1 or Gen2 repairability, you can replace:

• Back cover
• Charging port
• Battery
• Screen

If you’re the type who likes a bit of DIY, or you just want the peace of mind knowing you can fix it if needed, we’ve got you covered. From swapping out a battery to replacing a cracked screen, this guide will help you find the perfect repairable smartphone for your lifestyle.

HMD Pulse Pro: a repairable, solid all-rounder

The HMD Pulse Pro features a 50 MP selfie camera and introduced the selfie gestures feature to HMD smartphones, allowing you to take selfies with a hand gesture rather than having to press the capture button. It also has modes like slow-motion selfies and flash shot. HMD Pulse Pro offers up to 59 hours of battery life² between charges.

Repairability: Gen1

HMD Pulse Pro is ideal for you if:

• You’re shopping on a budget
• You want to take great selfies
• You want lots of battery life between charges

HMD Pulse Pro may not be a good fit if:

• You’re looking for 5G connectivity³
• You want a phone with high-end cameras
• You want to charge wirelessly

HMD Pulse+: repairable smartphone that balances price with features

The middle child of the Pulse family, HMD Pulse+ gives you quality snaps and application multitasking without the hefty price tag. It has a 50 MP AI-powered dual rear camera for quality photos, up to 6 GB of virtual memory⁴ for smooth multitasking, and an impressive battery life of up to 59 hours.²

Repairability: Gen1

HMD Pulse+ is ideal for you if:

• You’re shopping on a budget
• You’re looking for a reliable all-rounder
• You want lots of battery life between charges

HMD Pulse+ may not be a good fit if:

• You’re looking for 5G connectivity³
• You use the selfie camera more than the rear camera
• You want to run big applications

HMD Pulse: the affordable phone that you can fix yourself

The HMD Pulse is about bringing modern smartphone features to a highly affordable price bracket. Whereas things like NFC, camera modes, and long-lasting batteries may be missing from some other budget smartphones, HMD Pulse has them all. With 6 GB of memory and up to 6 GB of additional virtual memory,⁴ it isn’t lacking on the performance front, either.

Repairability: Gen1

HMD Pulse is ideal for you if:

• You’re shopping on a tight budget
• You want all the smartphone essentials
• You want lots of battery life between charges

HMD Pulse may not be a good fit if:

• You’re looking for 5G connectivity³
• You want highly detailed photos
• You want to run big applications

HMD Skyline: stylish imaging star and easy to repair

Made for creators, HMD Skyline features a 50 MP selfie camera with portrait and zoom modes, and a powerful rear camera that enables wide-angle shots and lossless digital zoom. But all creative types need a break – that’s why HMD Skyline introduced Detox Mode to help you reduce screen time and unwind for a while.

Repairability: Gen2

HMD Skyline is ideal for you if:

• you want to charge wirelessly with a Qi2 certified charger
• you want to get creative with a top-of-the-line camera experience
• you want to reduce screen time with Detox Mode

HMD Skyline may not be a good fit if:

• you prefer phones with rounded corners
• you’re looking for a compact, ultra-light design
• you prefer a traditional design over modern functionality

HMD Fusion: customizable and repairable smartphone

While HMD Skyline puts visual creativity front and center, HMD Fusion caters more for a different kind of creativity. With the free Developer Toolkit and some technical know-how, you can build your own Smart Outfits and add whole new features to the phone. With all of that said, HMD Fusion still plays a strong photography game with its 50 MP selfie camera and its 108 MP rear camera.

Stay tuned: HMD Fusion smartphones will get Detox Mode in a future software update, and Smart Outfits are coming to the HMD online shop.

Repairability: Gen2

HMD Fusion is ideal for you if:

• you want to customize it in the future
• you like industrial-looking design
• you like powerful camera features

HMD Fusion may not be a good fit if:

• you’re shopping on a tight budget
• you’re not interested in customizations

HMD Crest: repairable, 5G smartphone for less than you’d expect

With 50 MP cameras on both the front and back, HMD Crest helps you take effortlessly good snaps. It’s got selfie gestures and slow-motion selfie modes, too. Whether you’re looking back over your photos or watching a video to pass the time, it all looks great on the 6.67" OLED display.

Repairability: Gen1

HMD Crest is ideal for you if:

• you’re looking for 5G connectivity³
• you want a vibrant display
• you want to take great selfies

HMD Crest may not be a good fit if:

• you want a phone with high-end camera
• you want to run big applications
• you want access to Detox Mode

HMD Crest Max 5G: good cameras and still affordable

The HMD Crest Max 5G is the successor to HMD Crest, packing the same 6.67" OLED display and 50 MP selfie camera. The differences lie in the rear camera and the design. The 64 MP rear camera is equipped with scenery and ultra-wide modes. On the back, design aficionados will notice a stylish combination of frosted glass and a matte finish.

Repairability: Gen1

HMD Crest Max 5G is ideal for you if:

• you’re looking for 5G connectivity³
• you want to take great selfies and group photos
• you’re looking for a stylish phone

HMD Crest Max 5G may not be a good fit if:

• you want to run big applications
• you want access to Detox Mode
• you want to charge wirelessly

Demand products that respect your values.

At HMD we’re redefining what it means to own a smartphone. Instead of pushing you to buy our latest model, we’re encouraging you to invest in a relationship that lasts. We’re taking a stand against waste by creating phones that are worth holding on to. We did this by designing our repairable smartphones to be fixable, on your terms. So if you’re in a region where replacement parts and guides are available from iFixit or the HMD shop,¹ not only do you get to decide when and how you want to repair your device, but you can do it yourself while wearing your favorite sweats.

Whether you’re snapping selfies, juggling a million tasks, or just looking for a phone that won’t ghost you in two years, HMD repairable smartphones give you freedom, durability, and control.

So if you want to push back against a consumer tech culture that constantly pushes “newer and better,” or simply want a product that respects your independence, HMD repairable smartphones make it officially OK to be a stage-four clinger.